Monday October 24 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending October 23, 2016, temperatures averaging four to six degrees above normal, combined with limited precipitation, improved harvest conditions, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Heavy morning dews continued to limit soybean harvest progress. Cattle producers began moving livestock to corn stalks where available. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 26 short, 62 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 25 short, 65 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 21 fair, 57 good, and 16 excellent. Corn harvested was 50 percent, near 52 last year and the five-year average of 54.

Sorghum harvested was 67 percent, ahead of 49 last year and 50 average.

Soybeans harvested was 78 percent, behind 87 last year and 88 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 27 fair, 56 good, and 10 excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 93 percent, ahead of 89 last year and 84 average.

Alfalfa fourth cutting was 88 percent.
 
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 8 poor, 29 fair, 51 good, and 7 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 11 short, 87 adequate, and 1 surplus.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & HARVEST UPDATE

Although there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork Statewide during the week ending October 23, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, corn for grain and soybean harvest progress remains behind both the previous year and the five-year average. Besides harvest, other activities included chopping and baling corn stalks, tillage, and manure applications.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Fifty-two percent of the corn crop for grain has been harvested, 4 days behind the five-year average. Moisture content of all corn being harvested was at 17 percent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Southeast Iowa is the only area of the State with over two-thirds of the corn for grain crop harvested.

Seventy-seven percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, more than one week behind last year, and 6 days behind normal. Farmers in southwest and south central Iowa still have over one-half of their soybean crop to harvest.

Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 12 percent none, 25 percent light, 37 percent moderate and 26 percent heavy. Off-farm grain storage availability rated 20 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. On-farm grain storage availability rated 26 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Pasture condition rated 61 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were described as excellent, with reports of some cattle being turned out to graze corn stalks.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

As of Oct. 23, more than half the U.S. corn crop was harvested and just over three-quarters of the soybeans had been cut, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report released Monday.

The nation's corn crop is 61% harvested, compared to 46% last week, 70% last year and a 62% average.

Seventy-six percent of the soybeans are harvested, compared to 62% last week, 84% last year and a 76% average.

Winter wheat planting is 79% complete, compared to 72% last week, 81% last year and an 82% average. Winter wheat is 60% emerged, compared to 47% last week, 58% last year and a 58% average.

Winter wheat condition was rated for the first time this fall at 59% good to excellent, which compares to 47% last year.

Ninety-seven percent of the rice crop was harvested, compared to 93% last week, 97% last year and a 92% average.

Sorghum harvest was 67% complete, compared to 57% last week, 68% last year and a 58% average.



Brazil Soybean Planting More Than 1/4 Finished

Brazilian soybean farmers had finished 26% of their planting of the crop as of Friday, according to agricultural consultancy Safras & Mercado. That's well ahead of the 18% finished on the same date last year, and the 19% five-year average for the date. In Mato Grosso, Brazil's most important soybean-producing state, planting was 43% finished, and in Parana state it was 49% done, both ahead of where they were last year, Safras says. Brazil is the world's second-biggest soybean producer, after the US, and Brazilian crop agency Conab has forecast a crop in a range from 101.9M metric tons to 104M tons.



Nebraska Perspective on Efficacy of Cry1F Bt Corn Against Western Bean Cutworm
Julie Peterson - NE Extension Entomologist

This month a group of six extension entomologists from Michigan State University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, Cornell University, and Pennsylvania State University published an open letter to the seed industry describing poor performance of Cry1F Bt corn against western bean cutworm (WBC) in their states in 2016. The Cry1F protein is present in products such as Herculex 1, Herculex XTRA, AcreMax, and SmartStax. In their letter they strongly encouraged a change in the labeling for these products, in particular a removal of the designation of  “control” for this pest from the Cry1F protein.

While the letter reports problems with field performance of Cry1F against WBC occurring for the first time in the eastern Corn Belt in 2016, crop consultants and farmers in Nebraska have been dealing with similar issues for several years.

Prior to about 2000, WBC populations were primarily found in western Nebraska, northeastern Colorado, and eastern Wyoming; since then the extent of the population has moved east to the Great Lakes region, New York, and southern Ontario. When the Cry1F trait was first introduced to the market in 2001, other lepidoptera such as European corn borer, were the primary target. The Cry1F trait was marketed as providing only about 80% control of WBC.

While it continues to be effective against other labeled pests, such as European corn borer, fall armyworm, and black cutworm, recent research has shown that its effectiveness against WBC has decreased in some areas. (See more in a July 8, 2016 CropWatch article.) In regions where problems have been observed (particularly southwest and central Nebraska), it is recommended that fields with Cry1F products be scouted for WBC and insecticide treatment be considered when 5%-8% of plants in a field have egg masses or larvae.

Seed Selection, Scouting and Treatment Options for 2017
As seeds are now being selected for 2017, it is important to consider that Cry1F is not the only type of Bt protein being marketed as providing some protection against western bean cutworm. Products that express the VIP3A protein, such as Agrisure, Viptera, and Leptra, provide effective control and should not need to be treated, although it is always advised to inspect Bt cornfields to ensure adequate efficacy. See the Handy BT Trait Table for a list of commercially available Bt corn hybrids and the proteins they express.

For corn hybrids that do not provide Bt control of western bean cutworm, consider applying an insecticide if 5%-8% of the corn plants have egg masses or larvae. If an insecticide treatment is warranted in corn, it should be made when 95% of the plants in a field have tasseled. This application timing increases the chance that larvae will be exposed to the insecticide, resulting in better control.

Aerial application and chemigation have provided good control for this insect if applied before larvae enter the ear. (Note: Sprayer drops should be above the canopy or have nozzles that allow sufficient application of product onto the tassels.) Carbamates (Sevin), organophosphates (Chlorpyrifos), spinosyns (Spinosad), methoxyfenozides (Intrepid), diamides (Prevathon), and many pyrethroids (51 products) are labeled for WBC control. Consider rotating mode of action in areas where pyrethroids have been heavily used for western bean cutworm and western corn rootworm control. The potential for resistance to common active ingredients such as bifenthrin is a concern.

A list of registered insecticides, rates, preharvest intervals, and grazing restrictions is available in the Insect Management section of the most recent UNL Extension Guide to Weed Management in Nebraska with Insecticide and Fungicide Information (EC 130).



5 Tax Deductions for Your Farm 
Tina Barrett - Executive Director of Nebraska Farm Business Inc.

Tax time on the farm can be a little stressful. In gathering all your forms and receipts in preparation for a visit to your accountant, don’t forget about these five deductions.

1 - Home Office
You can deduct a percentage of your home mortgage or rent as a farm expense, if you use your home office exclusively for managing your farm and you have no other location where such tasks can be completed. Be aware that using the home office deduction does disallow that portion of your home from being eligible for the personal residence exclusion if you were to sell your home.

You can estimate the percentage of expenses (rent, utilities) that should be allocated to your farm using the IRS Worksheet to Figure the Deduction for Business Use of Your Home in IRS Guide No. 587, Business Use of Your Home.

2 - Cell Phone
Fees for calls from your cellphone related to your farm can be deducted as a farm expense. If your cell phone is part of a family plan, you must determine the portion of charges that can be attributed to your business, and deduct that expense accordingly.

3 - Pre-paid Farm Supplies
If you are a cash basis taxpayer, you can write off the inputs (seed, fertilizer) that you purchased this year, for next year’s crop. The amount you can write off is limited to half of your deductible expenses (Schedule F deductions except pre-paid supplies) of the current year. For example, if you paid $50,000 in expenses for 2016, you can write off $25,000 in pre-paid supplies for 2017. You also must have a business purpose for the prepaid expenses (a discount, etc). This cannot be used just to distort your income.

4 - Family Employee Wages
You can pay your family members (children, spouses) as employees of your farm and deduct the full amount of these wages as hired labor. These wages could be made in cash or you could use grain as a commodity wage.  Cash wages would be subject to Medicare and social security taxes. Commodity wages and cash wages paid to children under age 18 (by a sole proprietor) may be excepted from Medicare and social security taxes. You must file the appropriate paperwork (W-2s, Form 943, etc) for all employees.

5 - Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)
Anyone under the age of 70.5 is eligible to invest money in an IRA. A traditional IRA provides you the opportunity to invest money for your retirement while potentially reducing your income tax liability. The tax benefit of this investment will depend on your current federal tax bracket. If you are in the 25% bracket, your tax savings would be equal to 25% of your IRA contribution.

The amount you can invest depends on your age and income. The current maximum you can contribute to an IRA if you are under 50 is $5,500. If you are 50 or older, the maximum is $6,500. You cannot contribute to a traditional IRA if you are over the age of 70.5.

If you have a spouse and file jointly, you can also make IRA contributions for them, doubling the amount of deductible. Contributions to Roth IRA’s are not tax deductible. If you are looking to put more money away, other retirement vehicles such as an SEP or a SIMPLE plan may be the right choice for you.

These are just a few of the tax deductible expenses to remember when filing your farm taxes. Please be sure to contact your personal tax advisor before employing any of these strategies in your farm business.



NePPA Accepting Applications for Newly Created Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship

College students enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a fully accredited college, university or technical college in an agriculture related degree program in Nebraska are encouraged to apply for the Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship. The deadline to apply is December 15th. Students may apply for the scholarship online by visiting the youth tab on www.nepork.org.

Larry E. Sitzman learned  patriotism, service to our country, and respect for our leaders  from his parents. While  in  high school he heard John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural  Address, “Ask not what your country can do for you,  ask what you can do for your country.” This address increased his desire to serve.

Agriculture has been his passion. Throughout his life he has provided service in various forms and from different positions of leadership. Sitzman is known for sharing his voice defending perspectives and asking challenging questions. He served on many state and national agricultural boards before being named the Director of Agriculture for Nebraska in 1991. He ended his working role as Executive Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association in 2016.  Today, Sitzman serves as an active volunteer leader  at the Veterans Administration in Lincoln.

Academics, agriculture, military, and other forms of public service  have all improved in some measure due to the leadership, service, and voice of Larry E. Sitzman. Upon his retirement, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association established this scholarship in his honor.

Eligibility Requirements:
·    Must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a fully accredited college, university or technical college in an agriculture related degree program in Nebraska
·    Must have at least one full year of study remaining towards degree
·    Must have plans to work in the agriculture industry upon graduation

Selection will be based on qualities of leadership and participation in collegiate or extracurricular activities related to the agriculture industry.

The deadline to apply is December 15th.  The Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to one deserving applicant each year.

If you have questions, please contact Kyla Habrock, Youth Education Director for the Nebraska Pork Producers Association at  kyla@nepork.org  or 402-472-2528.



Spotlight on the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory

For nearly a century, tractor manufacturers from around the world have looked to the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for a seal of approval. The success of a new tractor is decided long before it sees soil at the long, oval test track on East Campus that faculty, staff, students and visitors pass by every day.

“We’re not really famous in Lincoln, but in the field of agricultural engineering we’re one of the most famous, premiere institutions in the world,” said Roger Hoy, director of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory.

In 1919 it was more common for horses to work the fields than a piece of machinery. Early tractors were often oversold and underperforming. When state legislator and farmer, Wilmot F. Crozier from Osceola, purchased a few faulty tractors himself, he worked with state senator Charles J. Warner of Waverly to draft the Nebraska Tractor Test Law. The pair received technical assistance from L.W. Chase, who at the time served as chairman of the university’s agricultural engineering department. In July of 1919 the Nebraska Tractor Test Law was passed, which stated that no new tractor could be sold in Nebraska without first being tested by the University of Nebraska’s agricultural engineering department to prove that it would perform as advertised.

The first successful tractor test was executed at the lab in April of 1920. Today, test number 2,166 is underway on the track.

Tractor performance is measured according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development tractor test codes. Twenty-nine countries adhere to the codes, but the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory is the only OECD tractor test lab in the U.S. According to Hoy, the university contributed significantly to writing the codes and is currently in the process of updating them.

“In terms of performance testing, we’re still the granddaddy of them all,” Hoy said. “We’re the only facility in the world capable of testing the largest tractors.”

The power takeoff test and drawbar test are the two most common performance tests conducted on new tractors at the lab. Manufacturers invest a significant amount of resources to ensure a successful test. It costs approximately $22,000 to test a well-prepared tractor. The lab is supported entirely by these testing fees.

As tractors have become more technologically advanced, the lab has kept up with the times. Joe Luck, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, recently conducted research at the lab to test the accuracy of tractor CAN, or computer-aided network, data. Today’s tractors are able to supply publicly available CAN data focused on tractor-developed information that is typically available to implement for optimal performance. The data includes tractor operating conditions such as speed, engine performance and accurate positioning from a Global Positioning Sensor attached to the tractor. Luck compared this data to what the lab gathers with separate instruments.

Four test engineers work in the lab full time, along with 30 part-time student workers. Most students are agricultural engineering or mechanized systems management majors. Many are also members of the UNL Quarter Scale Tractor Team, which earlier this year took top honors at the International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition in Peoria, Illinois.

“Our first priority is to conduct tractor testing, but we also focus on preparing undergraduate students for real-world jobs,” said Hoy, who also serves as a professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

Hoy says he frequently fields calls from industry representatives seeking students for full-time introductory engineering positions. A majority of students who have worked at the lab field multiple job offers before graduating.

Official tractor testing results are available to the public at tractortestlab.unl.edu. The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory makes no endorsement of particular tractor models or tractor manufacturers.



GAUSSOIN NAMED TO NATIONAL USDA ADVISORY BOARD

    Roch Gaussoin, head of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been appointed to the USDA National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Gaussoin will serve a three-year term on the board.

    The board provides advice to the secretary of agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics. It reflects the broad interests of food, fiber and agricultural stakeholders nationwide, holds regional and national stakeholder listening sessions, and develops consolidated advice based on stakeholder input that is vital to the current and future success of food, forestry and agricultural programs.

    The board consists of 25 members, each of whom represents a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders, as mandated by Congress. Gaussoin (name pronounced ROCK ga-SWA) will represent Category G: national crop, soil, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology or weed science society.

    "This appointment is extremely rewarding because throughout my career I have been dedicated to trying to make the world a better place when it comes to plant science," Gaussoin said. "In this role, I look forward to leveraging the experience that Nebraska has so graciously allowed me to accumulate."

    Gaussoin has worked at the university for 25 years as a professor and extension specialist in integrated turfgrass management and weed science. He has been head of the agronomy and horticulture department since 2011. In 2015, Gaussoin was president of the Crop Science Society of America. He is chair of the Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies. According to Gaussoin, involvement in these societies plays a critical role in fostering the ideas and independent thoughts of the university.

    "I appreciate that the University of Nebraska administration team is in full support of participation in scientific and professional organizations," he said. "Nebraska's deep agricultural roots makes what we have to say relevant, and active engagement in these groups allows our voice to be elevated."

    As an advisory board member, Gaussoin will also be on the science policy subcommittee, which addresses issues related to science literacy.

    Gaussoin earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop science from New Mexico State University, and a doctorate in crop science from Michigan State University.



Animal Agriculture Alliance “extremely alarmed” by animal rights activist organization’s unlawful activity

The Animal Agriculture Alliance is extremely alarmed by the recent actions of Direct Action Everywhere, a radical animal rights group. Last week, Direct Action Everywhere released video footage that it claims was obtained during “stealth visits” to a California egg farm. Activists entered barns several times in late September and early October, mostly at night. Direct Action Everywhere’s founder, Wayne Hsiung, stated in a media interview that the group did not seek permission to enter the farm, but felt they had the right to enter the property because they suspected animal cruelty.

This complete disregard for private property as well as the safety of animals is deeply concerning, and Direct Action Everywhere cannot be allowed to continue to operate in this manner. The organization is clearly willing to take extreme, dangerous measures to further its mission of “trying to destroy animal agriculture” (as stated by Hsiung at the 2016 Animal Rights National Conference). The Alliance urges law enforcement and policymakers to take a strong stance against this illegal activity. Every state has animal cruelty laws in place, and any concerns about animal care should be reported to local law enforcement – not “investigated” by extremists with an obvious agenda.

In addition to blatantly violating the law, unauthorized visitors on farms present serious threats to the health and safety of livestock and poultry. “Biosecurity” refers to measures taken to reduce the chances of infectious diseases being introduced to farms by people, animals, equipment or vehicles. Activists breaking into and entering farms flies in the face of every principle of biosecurity and violates common USDA-recommended practices such as not allowing visitors near livestock or poultry unless absolutely necessary, making sure they have clean footwear and clothes and requiring visitors to shower-in and shower-out of barns.

One need to look no further than last year’s devastating outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza to understand the importance of closely following biosecurity measures and avoiding any risks – such as unauthorized visitors with camera equipment that has likely been on other farms and not properly cleaned. Because of the potential for contamination due to the activists entering the barn, the farm targeted by Direct Action Everywhere’s video had to destroy all of the birds in it – a clear consequence of the group placing their true agenda, promoting animal rights, above ensuring the health, safety and even lives of the birds.

The Department of Homeland Security has recognized agriculture and food production as critical components of our infrastructure and national security. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that business owners continue to strengthen the security of their facilities and that law enforcement provide support to farmers and ranchers. The Alliance urges farmers and ranchers to remain vigilant and aware of threats posed by extremists who have no respect for the law or animal safety. We also ask law enforcement to provide any assistance possible to the agricultural community in preventing these unlawful “visits” from occurring.



2016-17 National FFA Officer Team Elected at 89th National FFA Convention & Expo

Students from Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina and Texas have been elected by delegates from throughout the United States to serve on the 2016-17 National FFA Officer team.

David Townsend, an agricultural and natural resources and plant science major at the University of Delaware, was elected president. This is the first time the state of Delaware has had a national FFA president. Victoria Harris, a biology major at the University of Florida, will serve as secretary.

DeShawn Blanding, a biological engineering (natural resources engineering) major at North Carolina A&T State University, was elected southern region vice president and Trey Elizondo, a science and agricultural communications major at Texas A&M, will serve as western region vice president.

Ashley Willits, an agricultural education major at Tarleton State University, was elected eastern region vice president and Valerie Earley, an agricultural communications major at the University of Minnesota, will serve as central region vice president.

Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as national officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary, and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.

National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each officer travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public, and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.



CWT Assists with 1 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 8 requests for export assistance from Foremost Farms, Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), O-At-Ka/Upstate-Niagara Cooperative and United Dairymen of Arizona. These member cooperatives have contracts to sell 873,031 pounds (396 metric tons) of butter and 136,687 pounds (62 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from October 2016 through January 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 42.408 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 10.326 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 19.096 million pounds of whole milk powder to twenty-three countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 763.176 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Cropp Still Expecting Milk Prices to Rise in '17

A surplus of milk on the market continues to keep dairy prices suppressed this year, but Dr. Bob Cropp maintains that next year will be better. The professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Extension says he thinks the worst is over in 2016; and that USDA and other price forecasters expect milk prices to improve throughout 2017.

"But there are differences as to how quickly and how much of an improvement," Cropp said in his monthly Dairy Situation and Outlook Report. "The level of milk production and exports will be key factors. USDA forecasts milk production to increase 2.2 percent in 2017 from 0.5 percent more cows and 1.7 percent more milk per cow. This is a lot of milk and will dampen the price increase. But, milk production could well be lower."

Milk per cow is expected to average 1.6 percent higher this year which is more than the recent average annual increases. So another increase for 2017 appears to be on the higher side, Cropp says.

Meanwhile, some positive factors point to improved dairy exports going forward.

"World milk supply and demand is slowly coming balance," he said. "Milk production in the EU was increasing about five percent early in the year and has dropped below year ago levels starting in June."

And the combination of low milk prices and weather issues has forecasts for lower milk production in New Zealand, Australia and Argentina. On the demand side it appears China will be more active in importing dairy products.



Ag Buyers, Suppliers Head to Detroit for Export Exchange 2016

More than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from more than 35 countries are arriving in Detroit for Export Exchange 2016, ready to meet with U.S. suppliers and service providers across the value chain.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange 2016 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum, barley and other commodities.

“At a time when we are looking at a record corn harvest and the clear need for international trade to be championed by our country’s leaders, Export Exchange is critical for our industry,” said Tom Sleight, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. “It is essential for us to strengthen the bonds between suppliers and partner countries, and the connections made this week will not only help propel our industry this year, but for years to come.”

“In today’s volatile ethanol market, DDGS have become even more important for producers. A growing and vibrant export market will be key to future success. With buyers from more than 35 countries participating in this year’s event, the 2016 Export Exchange is a can’t-miss event,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

The conference runs through Wednesday at the Detroit Renaissance. More information is available at www.exportexchange.org.



EU Group Trims Corn, Wheat

The European Union's crop monitoring agency, MARS, on Monday trimmed its forecasts for this year's soft wheat and corn yields.

MARS cut its corn yield forecast to 6.82 tons a hectare from last month's 6.84 t/ha, citing heavy rain in Eastern Europe in the first half of October.

"These rains somewhat delayed part of the harvest of grain maize and the sowing of winter cereals in Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, but benefited the emergence of earlier sown winter crops," MARS said.

"Persistent dry conditions" elsewhere were responsible for a cut in the soft wheat yield forecast from 5.63 t/ha to 5.62 t/ha.

"These conditions... hampered the sowing of winter cereals in France, western Germany and the Benelux countries due to overly dry seedbeds, and negatively impacted emergence," MARS said.